What’s the most important quality you need to be both a great martial artist or a great public speaker? One word, people: adaptability. Going with the flow, being in the zone, whatever you want to call it. Charles Darwin said: “It’s not the strongest of the species nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” I think you can apply the same for public speaking; it’s not the ability to project, or the slickness of your Powerpoint, but how you handle the unpredictable.
For me, public speaking is like a martial art. I’m no physical fighter, but I love a bit of verbal combat. I like to think of myself as a mystical, public speaking Shao Lin monk. In reality I’m a coach with tons of stand-up comedy experience; I help transform people into confident public speakers with tried and tested techniques.
Being a parent or a stand-up comic forces you to go with the flow, because making your child or audience unhappy is a very undesirable option. By being ready to take the risk of improvising around problems while speaking, you liberate yourself from the pressure of failure, allowing yourself to become relaxed, and confident. And that will come across to your audience, who will sense your demeanour, and enjoy your presentations even more.
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